Bengaluru, May 26 (DHNS): The state BJP might have not yet taken a final decision on fielding Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. But it finds nothing wrong in fielding him, as it feels Karnataka would benefit from him.
Reacting to the ongoing criticism against fielding a non-Kannadiga such as Naidu as the RS candidate from Karnataka, BJP MLA C T Ravi on Wednesday said the BJP was yet to take a decision on the candidates. “Having said this, there is nothing wrong in considering Naidu, especially given his proximity and access to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Karnataka will only benifit from him. If we let go of him, then the state will stand to lose. People should stop getting emotional over this matter,” he added.
Naidu, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, has been elected to RS from Karnataka thrice. However, Kannada activists and the twitterati have been venting their ire at the BJP for attempting to push his for candidature from Karnataka yet again.
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has said his party would support only a Kannadiga to enter the RS.
Responding to a question about the ongoing debate on electing non-Kannadigas, Kumaraswamy said he had approached Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy, because she is a Kannadiga.
“Two months ago I approached Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy and asked him about Sudha Murty contestiong. Murthy said Infosys Foundation had a policy not to associate itself with political parties. I even said she should contest as an Independent.”
He said the JD(S) had over time built a reputation that it only supported ‘moneybags’ during RS polls. “There is constant talk of exchange of money during RS elections. I want to set right the matter once and for all. Hence I approached Murthy,” he added.